Automatic feeding of metal sheets and the like



Nov. 10 {1925. 1,560,918

R. STUBGEN AUTOMATIC FEEDING- 0F METAL SHEETS AND THE LIKE iiind Duc. 22, 1 923 2 Shun-Shut 1 Nov. 10,1925. 1,560,918

R. STUBGEN' AUTOIIATIC FEEDING 0F METAL SHEETS AND THE LIKE mm m. 22, ms 2 anon-ant 2 4 M .Jnven for.

g mechanism of the zigzag type which is more effective and requires less Passed Nov. 10,1925.

' nunomr srfinenn, or names, a.

Y if l,560,9l8

I anrom'rrc manure or unru. snnnrs mm mm: mm.

Application nee December r 192a. Serial so. 882,295,

To all whom it my camera:

Be it known that I, Rnnonr Srtinenn, a citizen or Germany, residing at Erfurtytdermany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Feeding of Metal Sheets and the like, of which the fl following is a specification.

My invention reters matically feeding the material in stamps and presses of all kinds and more particularly paper, card board or sheet .metah die or punch presses or printing presses inwhich the greatest number of stampings or-impressions shall be obtained from a sheet of predetermined size' It is an important object of my invention to provide an improved feed feed mechanismsv hitherto'used.

In automatic mechanism of the type aforesaid means have been provided for feeding making any change-in the parts constituting v such'mechanism consecutive or successive rows of equal -or of alternately differing numbers offcuts can be produced. lln comparison with older types of feeding inechanisms this apparatus ofiered the advantage of enabling the machine to be adjusted in a very short time for difler'en'tmodes of working, for instance changing over from rows having equal numbers of cuts to alternating rows ofeven and uneven numbers of cuts, impressions or the like.- However this mechanism merely a'll'owedfiroducing staggiered rows of cuts or impressionsgso .thata nism was inca able-ofen'suring aflcomplete I utilization of t e material. v v p This disadvantage'is overcome by feeding mechanism according to the present invention, inasmuch as'in' addition 'to-the two op erationshereinbefore referred-to it allows carrying out other operationssuch as for inst'ance the' production of non-staggered rows containing equal numbers 'of cuts or combinations of staggered and non-sta gored rows'containing partly equal-'anrl-parlfiy different'numbers of cuts or impressions. P

'Owingjothe possibility" alfordedfby the andling than the novel mechanism of easily and automath metal sheets of redetermined sizes can be tullyutilized in ependently otsuch dlfiere essential feature of the present inven ences in size as are well known. to occur tre- M g ,quently. to means for autotion consists'in placing-the change gear,

which causes themateria'l to be'ted by whole and half divisions and intwo difi'e'rent directions under the control of a number/oh controlling rings which, when chan 'ng over from one completed row to a tres row v0t cuts or impressions, are simultaneously imparted a rotary step by step movement andin' accordance with grooves, gaps or notched or allow'only a single one of a number of levers to throw in the corresponding clutch or the i like of the change gear. These rings are so the material in such a way that without designed es to automatically hringahout the feedhy half a longitudinal division in one or the other direction which is re uired 1 at the end of each row, when pro ucing staggered rows'of cuts orwhen. producing non-Sta gered rows, to revent this half longitu inal feed motion rom-belng carried ,1 direction and the transverse feed to tected whenever re'quned.

combined into a cylinder w keyed fast once andflfor all cit-1e. suitable I shaft. In this case dummy rin ands'pecial of the levers which'cooperate with the cylinder can be imparted a longitudinal'jmove f; me ht,x orthe, cylinder as 'a whole or parts thereof can be imparted such movement.

Provisionis further :made that directlly' after the-"jest cut or impression in the last recessed portions provided therein always "controlling rings may be provided and two i ie press or the like fitted'with the -mec'ha rqwofa sheet-has beenlproduced or while it is being 'prod icedflthe gear controllin the 1 feed ofthe sheet: is automatically brolig t to a standstilhjthe entire mechanism controlling the zigzag motion ofpthesheet .including ratchet pawl s' and 1' the like automatically removed outfof contact" with the ratchet wheels and the like and whole mechanism being automatically carried back into its initial position.

In the drawings affixed to this specification and forming part thereof the preferred form of a zigzag feed mechanism embodying my invention is illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sheet metal stamping press having the new zigzag feed mechanism arranged thereon, while Figure 2 is a similar View drawn to a larger scale of the feed mechanism itself.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic development of the ring cylinder, while Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are diagrams of metal sheets showing difierent arrangements of cuts or rows of cuts which can be produced automatically by means of the new device.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a shaft being intermittently revolved by suitable means such as a ratchet disc 70 and pawl 71 driven by the die-shaft or an intermediate shaft revolvingwith the same number of revolutions, each partial revolution of shaft 1 taking place during the lifting of the die. The angle through which shaft 1 revolves during each partial revolution and which predetermines the feed corresponding to the division required in each individual case is adjusted by means of a crank 74 disposed on the die shaft.

On the shaft 1 there are keyed two cog wheels 2 and 3, the diameter of wheel 2 being the double of the diameter of wheel 3. Wheel 2 is in permanent gear with two smaller cog wheels 4 and 5 arranged diametrically opposite eachother and wheel 3 meshes with two similarly opposite cog wheels 6 and 7. In the modification illustrated in the drawing, in which the diameter displacement on a feed shaft 8 extending at right angles to shaft 1 and serving for controlling the displacing of the sheet carrier 7 5. Each cog wheel carries one part of -a clutch which, in the present case, is a toothed clutch, the, other part of which isdisplaceably arranged and secured against rotation on the feed shaft 8. Of the clutches 4 5 for wheels 4 and 5 and 6 7 for wheels 6 and 7 only those marked 4 and 6 are visible in Fig. 2.

The clutches are thrown in an out by means of spring actuated operating levers 9, 10, 11 and 12 which in' the modification illustrated in the drawing have the form of angle levers. One-armed controlling levers 9 10, 11 12 operatively connected with the levers 9, 10, 11, 12, respectively, are

16, respectively.

In operating the device that clutch is thrown in whose controlling lever can enter a notch in the controlling ring cooperating with it, the arrangement being such that only a single notched ring at a time is placed with its notch in face of'the lever appertaining to it, while the other levers rest with their ends on circumferential parts of their rings, whereby the clutches cooperating with them are kept in thrown out position.

Obviously, by throwing in one of the clutches 4 or 6 the intermittent revolution of shaft 1 will be transmitted onto the feed shaft 8 in one direction, while by throwing in one of the opposite clutches 5 or 7 the transmission will take place in the opposite sense. On the other hand, if one of the clutches 6* or 7 is thrown in, the feeding distance will be only one half of the distance resulting from the throwing in of one of the clutches 4 or 5. Consequently, the two couplings 4 5 correspond to a fun division, the clutches 6 7 to one half division, when changing from one row to the subsequent one, provided the subsequent rows shall be staggered with regard to each other (Figs. 4 and 5 and the lower part of Fig. 7).

The feeding slide is fixed inthe different working positions, that is on the die descending, by means of a dividing plate 17 arranged on the feed shaft 8 and a .rock lever 18, 18 acted upon by a cam disc 19 fixed onto a controlling shaft 20 revolving at the same speed as the die shaft of the press, this cam disc causing the pawl 21 to enter at each downward stroke of the die one of the notches 22 provided in the rim of the dividing disc, whereby this latter and the feed shaft 8 are arrested in the working position together with the feeding slide and sheet carrier.

Intermediate each pair of notches 22, these notches being distanced apart one full division, similar notches 20 are provided,

the distance between contiguous notches 22 and 22 corresponding to one half division, while the distance between two notches'22 corresponds to a fulldivis'ion. I wish it to be understood, however, that the feed distance depends exclusively on the position' of crank 74 on the die shaft 72.

The advantage offered by the dividing disc 17 arranged on the feed shaft itself, as compared with the dividing rails employed in former devices of this kind, resides therein that the dividing disc need not be exchanged as frequently as these rails, an exchanging of these discs being, moreover, far simpler than the exchanging of dividing rails which must be fixed in position least two screws.

The means ,for varying the manner of feeding the sheet when changing over'from by means of at one row of cuts'o'r' prints to the next succeeding row, are the following With the rings 13, 14, 15, 16, which are preferably combined to form a cylinder, a ratchet disc 23 is connected which is acted upon by a pawl 24 forming part of a pawl lever 25; The free 'arm 26 of this lever 1s in operative contact with a cam disc 27 keyed onto the control. shaft. The lever 25 is further acted upon by a spring 28 which may as well be replaced by a counterweight or the like and tendsto move the pawl 24 to the left (Figure 2). The pawl 24 and lever 25 are, however, prevented from movmg to the left by an arm 25 connected with lever 25 which rests against the dividing disc 17, until this disc has'turned so far that one of the grooves 29 or 29* has arrived in face of the lever 25*. This will take place after the last out or print of a row of cuts or'prints has been efl'ected, or rather after the sheet has reached the, position in which the last out or print is made.

When this is the case, lever 25 is free to move to the left as soon as'the cam 27 releases arm 26 of the lever. I This will happen as the die descends and pawl 24 will now move the ratchet wheel 23 and along with it the rings 13, 14, 15, 16 the distance of a tooth in the direction of the clock, whereby the lever 9 or 10 which up till now rested in a circumferential notch or cavity of the respective ring 13 or 14, is lifted, the corresponding coupling 4 or 5 being thereby thrown out. At the same time, provided that staggered rows of cuts or impressions are produced, a cavity in one of the two rings 15 and 16 designed for one half division is carried below the corresponding lever 11 or-12, thus causing the lever in question to enter the cavity under the action of itsown weight or of a spring or a counterweight, not shown, and to throw in the respective coupling 6 or 7 However, inasmuch as immediately after the first cut or print of a new row has been produced, the sheet must again be fed a full division, the grooves 29 and 29 in disc- 17 have such a length that the arm 25 after having been withdrawn by cam disc 27 from the groove 29 before the first cut or print of the new row had been produced, will, on cam 27 continuing its revolution and the die descending in order to produce the first cut or print, enter once more into the groove 29, whereby the ratchet wheel 32 can be fed the distance of a second. tooth. This causesthe lever 11 or 12 which had previously enfulldivision will be thrown in.

tered a cavity of the appertaining ring 15 or 16 to be lifted from this cavity. and the re-' row of a sheet has been produced, all feeding means being automatically moved out of contact with their cooperating parts or rendered inoperativein some other manner,

matically into its initial or zero position.

The means for effecting all this consists in a pin adapted to be adjusted on the feed cylinder, in a throwing out lever-for the gear, one or a plurality of means for lifting the feed levers and pawls, an abutment or stop for the zero position and means such as a spring counterweight or a mechanically or electromagnetically operated Winch for automatically rotating back the feed cylinder. In the modification disclosed in the drawing, an ordinary coil spring 32 is employed, one end of the spring being fixed in the hub of the feedoylinder, while the other end is fixed at a stationary part 3l'of the machine, this coil spring having the tendency of turning the feed cylinder W in an anti-clockwise direction.

In one end face of thefeed cylinder W is, while the feed mechanism moves'back auto-' several holes or notches are arranged, these holes or notches being disposed equidistantly and their number corresponding to one half of the number of the teeth of the ratchet' disc 23. Inasmuch as with every change of rows the disc 23 is fed the distance of two teeth, each of the holes or notches 41-54:

corresponds to one row of cuts or prints. A

pin 33 is inserted in one of the holes or notches in accordance with the number of cuts or prints to be produced in the indi-- vidual sheet. Assuming the first hole' to correspond to the initial or new position I which is predetermined by the projection 34 of the feed cylinder W abut ting against the stationary stop 35 and 7.

as the last out or printof the eighth row is produced, as soon as spring 28 and pawl 24 have caused. the feed cylinder to he fed forward, which will take place automati cally as soon ,as cam disc27'and slot29 have 51.20

assumed the predetermined position, the pin can displace lever 36 and throw out the control shaft20 and the wholemech'anism by aid-of connecting rod 37.

' In order to obtain a sufiiciently large movement of the-pawl 24:,"its movement is transmitted by the pin 33 abutting against lever 36 and by rod 37 and lever 76 upon shaft 77 and a lever 78 keyed thereon, the

free end of this lever extending into a cam nut 79 provided with a switch tongue 80; i

Normally the lever will remain in the slot 79 ;-however, as the rods are lifted, the lever will be caught by the tongue 80, and, as shaft 20 continues its rotation, the tongue 80 will cause the lever to be lifted as far as is required in order to throw all parts out.

Lever 78 has an extension from which is suspended a rod 81 carrying at its lower end aplate 82 which extends underneath the arms 38 of the feed levers 9, 10, 11, 12 and by lifting these arms causes the clutches 47 to be thrown out.

The pawl 24 is thrown out by being connected through arod 83 with the lever 36. In order to also throw out the transverse catch, the lever 83 is connected by a rod 85 with the lever 36.

At the same time, however, also all the levers 9, 10, 11, 12 cooperating with the clutches 4*, 5 6 7 are lifted free of their respective rings or are held in inoperative position, and the pawls 24 are retracted out p of contact with wheel 23, this being effected by, any suitable means, for instance in the case of the levers by means of extensions 38 and a corresponding number of arms arranged on shaft 36 of the throwing out lever 26.

After the feed cylinder W has been thus released, the spring 32 will turn it' until the projection 24 abuts against stop 35, whereby the cylinder again assumes its Zero position. This offers the advantage that, on a new sheet being placed into the machine, normal conditions of working are given'at once and the feed mechanism will under all circumstances act without any loss of time, as required in each individual case.

It should further be noted that the transerse feed at the end of a row can be effected division, left. and right? being used with reference to the movement of thesheet 87- and the sheet carrier 75, respectively.

It should furtherbe noted that of the dif-' ferent possibilities mentioned above, Fig.

3 illustrates the one in which there are ar'-,. ranged between the normal rings 13, 14, 15, 16 special feed rings and also some plain rings having indentures or cavities. In the instance illustrated in the drawings, the two levers 11, 11 and 12,- 12 for fone half feed are arranged to be dis laced so asjto beenabled to cooperate eit er with their normal rings 15 and 16 or with the special and plain rings.

The starting point of the first cut or rint in each sheet is marked A in Figures 4- The mode of working illustrated in Fig. 4 is characterized by rows staggered one half division with regard to each other, each row containing an equal number of cuts or prints. In this case the sheet must be fed in such manner that at the end of the first row fed with /1 left the sheet is not only shifted transversely with regard to the direction of feed, but also one half division to the left. .Therefore, the feed mechanism must be set for /2 left in order that the first cut or print C of the second row can be produced. The sheet is thereafter fed full divisions, but in a direction opposite to the former direction of feeding, that is to the right, until the last out or print D of the second row has "been produced, whereupon the sheet must be fed another half division to the rightin order that, after it has been displaced transversely, the first cut or print E of the third row can be produced,

In order that this mode of working can be carried through, the levers 11 and 12 cooperating with the clutches 6 and 7 for one half division are adjusted forcooperation of theirarms 11 and 12?.with the normal rings 15 and 16 (Fig. 3). The levers serving for feeding a full division (/1 left and /1 right) are always disposed above thelr rings 13 and 14.

In starting work, that is to say with the mechanism being placed in zero position i where projection 34 of cylinder W abuts against the stationary stop 35, the nose provided on lever 9 projects into the cavity 8 of ring 13, whereby the clutch 4 appertaining to lever, 9 and which causes the sheet carrier to be fed a full division'to the left is thrown in. This position is maintained until the sheet assumes the position serving for producing the cut or ri nt B.

During this time, the ividing disc 17 is turned at each feeding movement of the placed by cam 27 so that now lever 25 pulls pawl 24 to the left and thereby causes cylinder W to turn the distance of a tooth of the ratchet wheel 23. As cam 27 continues its rotation, pawl :24, which-before acted upon tooth a of theratchet wheel, now places itself in 'fnont of tooth 2 At the same time arm 9 10f lever 9 for /1 left places itself on the circumference of the ring 13, whereby clutch 4 is thrown out, while arm 11 0f lever 11 has'entered the cavity t of its ring income 15, whereby clutch e! is thrown in, which causes the-sheet to be-fed one halt nivtsim tothe left. r

As the die, after having producedthe cut of print B, rises, thcsheet is now fed /2 left from B to C. v I

-As the cut or print is being produced,

' lever 25 is released by cam 27 to execute a long enough tobestill positioned in face.

movement'to the left (in the drawing) and, inasmuch as slot 29' of dividing disc 17 is of arm 25, lever 25 and pawl 24 are once more moved to the left, thereby causing the feed cylinderto be turned once. more the distance of a' tooth (from a to 2?). Lever arm '11 is thereby lifted free of the cavity t clutch 6 thrown out, but, at the same time,

- the cavity a of ring 14 is laced below arm abuts against stop 35, i 'Before explaini ng the working [of the of lever 10, whereby thls latter'is-caused to throw in clutch 5 for' /1 right. 7

Since, the sheet has arrived in the position serving for producing the cut or print G, the pawl 21 cooperates with the'notches 22' of dividing disc 17 which are distanced apart one half division from notches 22. The sheet is now fed /1'right, until dividing disc 17, which now rotates in jthe opposite direction, presents either slot '29 or (according to the number of cuts on prints to be produced in' each row) slot 29 to the arm ,'this being the case assoon as the sheet reaches the position for producing the cut or 'rint D. In t e 'manner above described, as the die now eflects its descent," the feed cylinder is turnedthe distance of a tooth from z to 2, whereby arm 10 is lifted free of cavity a clutch 5? is'thrownout, lever arm 12 ifor /2 right) is caused :toent'er cavity v 0 its ring 16 andconsequently clutch 7 serving for lifting-the sheet one half division to the right is thrown 'in. The'sheetbemg simultaneously displaced in transverse direction, now reaches the position required for producing the cut or. print E and the'pawl 21 nowcooperates with the adjoining notch 22 of dividing disc 17.

During the lowering of the die the feed cylinder- W is again rotated the distance of a tooth of the ratchet disc, from .2 to e,

whereby arm 12" is withdrawn from cavity.

0 clutch-Wis thrown out, lever arm '9 is caused to enter cavity '8 of ring'13 and clutch Pservin'g for feeding the sheet */1- left is' thrown in again; After the sheet has been fed to the left until it has reached the position in which the last out orspl'lntf "H in the last-row shall be produced,"the

pin 33 insertedin the cylinder W :abuts against the lever 36, whereby the feed cyl- 'inder is caused toautomatically; return 1nto its zero ositionin which projection .34

as illustrated in rows of wand n cuts or prints shall be proprints, 1g. 5, where alternating device in producin rows of cuts or duced which are staggered with respect to each other, .it should be noted that the sheet is fed to the right the distance of one half division. The clutch for /2 left must therefore be kept thrown out by any suitable means, for instance by fixing lever 11, 11 in inoperative position by electromagnetic means or by preventing clutch 6 from being thrown in or, as shownin Fig. 3, by pro viding a plain ring 55 and arranging lever 11, 11 to be displaced, if desired. In Fig. 3, the two levers ll, 11 and 12, 12 serving for feed /2 left and /2 right are arranged for simultaneous displacement and for being fixed in a plurality of different positions. This is efiected by means of a hand lever 88 (Fig. 2) If, as required in order to produce cuts or prints as shown in Fig. 5, lever arm 11 rests on plain ring 55, lever arms operates as folon circumferential parts of their rings and keep these clutches in thrownout position. If the sheet then reaches the. position serving for producing the cut or print B the slot 29 1n dividing disc 17 faces arm 25 and as'the die now descends the feed cylin- .der is turned, as described above, the dis- I tance of a tooth from- 2 to 2?, thereby causing arm 9 to be lifted free of cavlty a, clutch 4* to be thrown out, arm 12 to enter for /2 right feed to be thrown in, whereby the sheet is fed from B to G As the die descends on the sheet held.

.cavity 10 of special ring 56 and clutch 7" v in position 0, owing to the position and width of slot 29 provided in dividing disc 17 whose notches 20" have become operative,

the feed cylinder is turned the distance of a further tooth fronl'z to 2 whereby arm 12' is lifted free of cavity w clutch 7. is thrown out, arm 10* is caused to enter the a cavity a of ring 14. and clutch 5' for /1 .right feed is thrown in.. In this osition of the arts the second row from 1 to D is pro uced.

With the sheet reaching the position in which 'cut' or print D is produced, the second slot 29' of dividin disc 17 has arrived in' face of arm 25 an' as the die descends onto the sheet in position D feed cylinder W is once more turned'the distance of a tooth from a", to z, wherebyar1n 10' is lifted free of cavity M1,. clutch 5 is thrown out, arm 12 is caused to enter again a cavity, this time the cavity to of special ring 56 and clutch 7 a for /2 right feed is thrown in, the sheet being thereby fed from D to E In the position E the feed cylinder is turned the distance of a further tooth from 2* to .2 whereby arm 12 is lifted free of cavity 10 while arm 9 is caused to enter the next following cavity 8 in its ring, thereby throwing in clutch P for 1 left feed.

As appears from the above, arm 11 does not become operative at all, but at all those points where, in the arrangement according to Fig. 4, the clutch for /2 left feed was thrown in, now the clutch for /2. right feed is rendered operative.

Fig. 6 illustrates a sheet with rows of equal numbers of cuts or prints which are not staggered with regard to each other. In this case, the sheet is always fed the distance of a full division and thereforethe two clutches .6 and 7 must be kept in thrown out position.

To this end, as shown in Fig. 3, 1n View of the fact that levers 11, 11 and 12, 1.2 are coupled with each other, two special plain rings 57 and 58 are provided on which the arms 11 and 12 will rest when the levers 11 and 12 have been shifted into the position III. One might of course arrange the levers 11 and 12 to be displaceable singly, and in that case plain ring 57 might be dispensed with and arm 11 might be allowed to rest on the plain ring 56 as 1n working according to Fig. 5. However, the connection shown between the levers 11 and 12 is preferable in order to spare the attendant the necessity of reflecting when settlng the mechanism and to provide for therequirements of working, such as for instance shown in Fig. 7 as will be explained later. I

After what has been said above, it does not appear necessary to further explain the mode of working in the case shown in Fig. 6.

The arrangement of rows illustrated in Fig. 7 is chosen in cases where either a better utilization of the sheet is desired or special patterns shall be produced. In this case, a number of superposed rows having an equal number of cuts or prints must be followed by a plurality of rows staggered with regard to each other and alternately comprising n and n cuts or prints. In. this case, the two clutches for /2 feed must not be thrown in. i v

To this end, a further special ring (plain ring) 59 with one or a plurality of preferably removable cams 60 is provided and the levers 11 and 12 are coupled with each other, as shown in Fig. 3 in such manner that each of the two arms 11 and 12 can enter a cavity of the ring appertaining to it, as long as the other arm rests on a circumferential portion of its normal ring or on an ordinary plain ring, the arm (for instance 11*) being, however, prevented from entering the cavity placed below it, whenever the other arm (for instance 12) reaches one of the cams 60.

If, as shown in Fig. 7, only two rows shall be produced which are not staggered with regard to each other, the clutches for one half division must be rendered inoperative onlyonce when changing the rows and, consequently, only a single cam 60 for arm 12 is required. It may be mentioned by the way that the larger transverse feed corresponding to a full division (t) required in the case of two non-staggered rows, as compared with the smaller transverse feed required in the case of staggered rows, is simply provided for by a corresponding form of the dividing disc (not shown) for the transverse feed and by causing the transverse feed to be efiected with the aid of a friction clutch allowing a sliding cooperation of its parts.

In order to produce cuts as shown in Fig. 7, the levers 11, 11 and 12, 12 are shifted into the position IV in which arm 11 rests 011 the special ring 56 which, in the operation illustrated in Fig. 5, cooperates with arm 12*, while arm 12 now rests on the special ring 59.

The first row of cuts or-prints from AB is produced in the ordinary way., When the sheet has reached the position B slot 29 of dividing disc 17 faces arm 25 and the feed cylinder W is now turned the distance of a tooth from 2 to 2 whereby arm 9? is lifted free of 8 clutch at is thrown out,

arm 12 rises on cam 60 and prevents arm 11 from entering cavity 'w of ring 56. As the die now rises after having produced the cut or print B only an ordinary transverse feed motion is produced, the sheet being thus carried into the position C On the die descending again, the feed cylinder- W is turned the distance of a tooth from 2 to .2 whereby arm 10 is caused to enter the cavity of ca of ring 14, thereby causing clutch 5 for /1 right feed to be thrown in. In this position of the parts, the second row of cuts or prints is produced, until in the position D the cylinder W is fed the distance from 2 to 2 whereby 10 is lifted free of a clutch 5 is thrown out and arm 11 is caused to enter the cavity w of ring 56, arm 12? now resting against the plain circumferential portion of ring 59 and thus being unable to prevent arm 11 from being lowered. Clutch 6 for /2 left feed is now thrown in and with the normal transverse feed the sheet is now fed in' such manner.

is turned from a to whereby clutch 6 is thrown out and, on arm 9* entering the cavity 8 of ring 13, clutch 4: is thrown in. The operation now proceeds as indicated by the dash line in Fig' 4.

'It should be noted that instead of displacing the levers 11, 11 and 12, 12 one might also displace the feed cylinder W or parts thereof and make the slots 29, 29 in the dividin disc 17 adjustable in width, or-the divi ing disc 17 might be arranged on its'hub for rotation, a resilient clutch or the llke being provided for fixing the disc in different positions, whereby a great number of different operations could be carried out with one and the same dividing disc.

. Obviously, the dividing disc 17 nee-d not I be arranged onthe feed shaft 8 itself, but

.might as-well be located on another shaft,

- 2,.5'working in synchronism with the feed shaft.

In order to keep the masses to be moved at each feedin operation as small as possible, the dividing disc may further be staranged'on that'side of the-dividing disc 17 tionary and the pawl 28 may befixed to an intermittently rotating arm which. must then be keyed onto the feed shaft 8 or a shaft moved by it, the dividing disc and pawl 21 thus merely changing places.-

Moreover, the pawl may be subjected to the influence of the feed'shaft by suitable means ;Instead of the slots 29, .28 in the dividing disc, cam faces, wedges or the like can be an which faces lever 25. In that case. the disc 6 .would then act on the lever either directly desire to be-limited to the exact details ofmain shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, afeed shaft, means associated with said two shafts for varymg the angle of rotation ofsaid feed shaft at each step motion of said mainshaft and means for automatically controlling said varying means.

2. Feeding "mechanism-for stamping and main shaft, means for imparting to this shafta step by step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted on said feed shaft for free rotation and permanentl gearing with said largecog wheels, means or tempoprintin 'rarily fixing one of said smaller cog-wheels 3. Feeding mechanism for stan'lping and printing presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a feed shaft,

two large cog wheels of difierent diameters fixed on said main-shaft,'two pairs of smaller cog -wheels mounted onsaidx feed shaft for free rotationand permanently gezu'ing with said large cog wheels; clutchesxfor permanently securing one of said smaller cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaftand means for automatically control-, ling'said clutches.

4:. Feeding mechanism for stamping and printing presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a stepby step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on saidmain shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted ,on said feed shaft for free'rotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller cog Wheels against rotation "on said feed shaft and a system of controlling levers-and op.- erating means adapted for -actuating such levers so as to vary the-operative'po'sition of said fixing means.

5. Feeding mechanism for stamping and presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for, imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a] feedshaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted'on said" feed shaft for'free rotation. and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaft and a system of controlling levers and notched rings adapted for actuating such levers so as to control said clutches.

6. Feeding mechanism for stamping and printing presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for imparting to-this shaft 'a step by step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted on said feed shaft for freerotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, means for temporarily fixing one of said smaller cog wheels on said feed shaft, means for automatically I controlling said fixing means and means for printing presses and the like comprising a] automatically throwing out said fixing means after a predetermined number of operations.

wheels mounted on said feed shaft for free rotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, meansfor temporarily fixtrolling means.

8. Feeding mechanism for stamping and printing presses and the like vcomprising a main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog Wheels mounted on said feed shaft for free rotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaft, a system of controlling levers and notched rings adapted for actuating such levers so as to control said clutches and means for turning said rings step by step.

9. Feeding mechanism for stamping and printing presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a feed shaft two large cog wheels of difi'erent diameters'fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted on said feed shaft for free rotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller -cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaft, a system of controlling levers and notched rings adapted for actuating such levers so as to control said clutches, means for turning said rings step by step, means for automatically throwing out said turning means and means for automatically returning said rings to their normal position.

10. Feeding mechanism for stamping and prmting presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted on said feed shaft for free rotationand permanently gearing with said large cdg wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaft, a system of controlling levers and notched rings adapted for actuating such levers so as to control said clutches, means for turning said rings step by step, means for automatically throwing out said turning means, means for automatically holding said feed shaft against rotation, means for automatically returning said rings to their normal position and means associated with said holding means for rendering said throwing out means operative.

11. Feeding mechanism for stamping and me als printing presses and the like comprising a 'main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mountedon said feed shaft for free rotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaft, a system of controlling levers and notched rings adapted for actuating such levers so as to control said clutches, means for turning said rings step by step, means for automatically throwing out said turning means, a dividing disc on said feed shaft having circumferential notches and a groove, means for holding said disc against rotation, means for automatically returning said rings to their normal position and means adapted to cooperate with said groove for rendering operative said throwing-out means for the turning means.

12. Feeding mechanism for stamping and printing presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted on said feed shaft for free rotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaft, a system of controlling levers and notched rings adapted for actuating such levers so as to control said clutches, means for turning said rings step by step, means for automatically throwing out said clutches and means associated with said rings for actuating said throwing-out means for said clutches. 1 I

13. Feeding mechanism for stamping and printing presses and the like comprising a main shaft, means for imparting to this shaft a step by step motion, a feed shaft, two large cog wheels of different diameters fixed on said main shaft, two

pairs of smaller cog wheels mounted on said feed shaft for free rotation and permanently gearing with said large cog wheels, clutches for permanently securing one of said smaller cog wheels against rotation on said feed shaft, a system of controlling levers and notched rings adapted for actuating such levers so as to control said clutches, means for turning said rings step by step, means for automatically throwing out said turning means, a dividing disc on said feed shaft having circumferential notches and a groove, means for holding said disc against rotation, means for automatically returning said rings to their normal position, means adapted to cooperate said throwing-out means for the 'turning means, means for automatically throwing out said fixing means for the dividing disc and adjustable means associated with said rings for actuating said throwingout ,means for said clutches.

14.-]FGBdll1g mechanism for stamping or printing presses and the like comprising means for feeding a sheet step by step, alternately full divisions and one half division,

means for automatically reversing the direction of feed after a predetermined number of steps so as to vallovvseveral rows of cuts or impressions to be produced, and means for automatically stopping and throwinoout and for automatically returning said feeding means to their initial positions, after the lastcut orimpression of a predetermined row hasbeen produced.

15. Feeding mechanism for stamping or printing presses and the like comprising means for feeding a sheet .step by step a1- .ternately several full divisions and one'half division, aplurality of notched controlling rings coaxially mounted, means for rotating said rings simultaneously the same distance, a plurality of levers in operative re-' lation to said rings so as to be acted upon by them and means adapted to be acted upon by said levers for governing the length of step of said feeding means. Y y

In testimony whereof I aflix' my signature.

ROLF S'll GEN. 

